Aylmer Street crime scene

(PETERBOROUGH) City police have made an arrest in connection with the death of George MacKenzie.
At about 8 p.m. Thursday (Aug. 2), police arrested and charged Dorothy Robin Groves, 40, of no fixed address, in the area of George and King Street. She is charged with first degree murder and held overnight in custody, with a court appearance scheduled for Friday (Aug. 3).
“As the result of the evidence to date and the way it has unfolded our detectives in our major case section are confident that those are the appropriate charges to lay,” explains Inspector Ted Boynton.
Insp. Boynton says Ms Groves and Mr. MacKenzie were known to each other.
“She was know to frequent that area and the apartment complex where the victim resided,” he adds, noting that Ms Groves was known to police to be involved in the drug culture.
Police continue to collect evidence at the Mr. MacKenzie’s residence at Aylmer and McDonnel streets. Officers are also continuing to canvass the neighbourhood and taking statements from witnesses.
“The difficulty we have is that we don’t have any witnesses of the actual homicide,” says Insp. Boynton.
Victim Services has been working with family members and advised them of the arrest.
Police will not be shedding any light on the cause of Mr. MacKenzie’s death or autopsy results. They are, however, still asking anyone with information on the incident, or who had recent contact with Mr. MacKenzie, to call them at 705-876-1122, ext. 225, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.
Earlier this week, neighbours of Mr. MacKenzie, 66, tell This Week that a woman stabbed Mr. MacKenzie for a bag of beer.
Mr. MacKenzie was found dead in his Aylmer Street/McDonnel Street apartment early Monday morning (July 30) after a neighbour called city police, asking that they check on his well-being.
On Tuesday, police announced his death is being investigated as a homicide -- the city’s first murder of this year.
When asked by This Week, Insp. Boynton wouldn’t confirm or deny Mr. MacKenzie was stabbed or if there’s reason to believe his assailant is female.
“There’s all kinds of rumours going around and that’s is why I can’t comment on evidence,” he said.
“We have to decipher the rumours from the truth.”
Near the crime scene, one resident said she was told that an alleged suspect, a blonde woman, had been in Mr. MacKenzie’s apartment the night he was murdered and later showed up at Dublin Arms rooming house with a bag a beer. On Thursday, police had moved its command post to right outside Dublin Arms.
“Three or four people have said this girl was interviewed for two hours,” added the resident.
“Some people have said that she was all bloody and cut up.”
Insp. Boynton wouldn’t comment if a woman or anyone else is a person of interest to police in this case.
“It is still early in our investigation and we’re continuing to interview people and take statements,” he explained.
“We still have not made any arrests.”
On Thursday (Aug. 2), yellow police tape still blocked off the crime scene as forensic identification officers continued to collect evidence from the unit.
Elise Hanson remains shaken that a murder happened in her backyard.
“It’s one thing when it’s crime and drugs but it’s another thing when it’s crime and it’s a murder,” she said.
John Mochulla, who recently moved into his Aylmer Street apartment, and is also shocked.
“In the past year, Peterborough seems to be getting a lot more violent,” he explained.
“People are getting stabbed and beat up over stupid stuff. It’s unbelievable and sad to hear that (Mr. MacKenzie was murdered).”
Kelly Thomson knew it was only a matter of time before someone was killed in her neighbourhood.
“This is a real tragedy and it is horrific,” she explains.
“The thing that is discouraging is that it wasn’t even a surprise.”
Ms Thomson has lived on Aylmer Street for 26 years and says crime just keeps getting worse.
“It is really upsetting and it is really overwhelming,” she said, fighting back tears.
“People are afraid to walk here at night.”
tvandonk@mykawartha.com